Beezy (chalk girl)

Bee loves to write with chalk. It's been too hot here lately for her to stretch out and draw on the sidewalk without frying. The other evening was cool enough that she was able to break out her new box of chalk and draw.

She can write her name.

We're still working on the "tail" on the letter A. She forgets to attach it sometimes.

And this was her self-portrait. She always gives herself plenty of eyelashes.
She draws faces all the time. I think they're cute. They remind me of fried eggs.

Meet Rainbow Sparkle

This past spring, my dad got Lola her very own horse: Rainbow Sparkle. Dad had looked for about a year for a sweet, gentle little horse when he found this one. Lola knew her grandpa was on the search for a horse for her and she always told us she was going to name it Sparkle.

This horse came from a family who had kids who had outgrown her. Her name was Rainbow.

Around this time, Lola was really interested in the story of Noah's ark and she was all about rainbows. In fact, her birthday party was rainbow-themed. It was so "ironic" that Dad finally brought home this sweet little pony whose name was Rainbow. So, rather than give her a new name, Lola just named her Rainbow Sparkle. It's a rather long name for such a little horse, but I think it fits her just perfectly.

This was, I think, the very first time she got to ride her. My brother led her around my parents' yard. Shorts and flipflops are not the typical horseback riding attire, but it was a little impromptu so we made do.

Vintage Barbies

I recently started thinking up a new project involving vintage Barbie clothes. Then I realized that Lola doesn't have any Barbie dolls. I don't think she's ever even played with them. If she has, it hasn't been under my roof. I was going to hold off introducing them to her bc it was something I just wasn't jazzed about getting into. To me, modern day Barbies are kind of tacky and they have way too many little pieces. I'm also trying to raise my daughter to respect herself enough to dress modestly. It's been a while since I've gone down the Barbie aisle, but I'm doubting much has changed since I was a kid so I'm sure Barbie's still showing off her belly and wearing lots of hot shorts and low-cut tops. I'm old-fashioned. So sue me. Check out 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 in your Bible before you get too hard on me. Influences are everywhere and I don't want to put anything in her hands that might encourage her to try want to imitate it.

I digress.

Then, after scouring a couple of antique stores while searching for vintage Barbie clothes for my project, it occurred to me that I should just get out all of my old Barbies. And these aren't just "old" from the '80s, but they were my mom's Barbies from the '60s! I played with these Barbies as a kid and they were old then! That old green suitcase was all I needed to burn a few hours of playtime. In fact, I know I had my own Barbies, but frankly, these are the only ones I really have a memory of. Except for "Peaches N Cream" Barbie. Haha! I thought her puffy dress was awesome.

Nowadays, I especially like that all of these dolls' clothes are handmade and super cute and much more conservative than what I could buy these days. I've been so anti-Barbie since having a daughter, but these I'm totally okay with. Lola's been having a blast with them. I washed all of their clothes and everything is Downey fresh now! It's also my plan to let her play with these for as long as possible not only bc they're cute, but there's so much history in them. I think it's fun to imagine all the adventures these little cuties have been on.

**And on a side note, I was so pumped about vintage clothes I went on eBay and got into a bidding war over a couple of bags of clothes. I couldn't believe anybody else would be as interested as I was. These weren't even Barbie's brand of clothes, they were homemade! Since I'm not real familiar with eBay bidding, I kept texting my brother to get his opinion on what I should do, should I keep bidding? let it go? what if I lose!? what would you do? His response was essentially that he couldn't believe anybody would want old homemade Barbie clothes and, frankly, he's not exactly familiar with what they're selling for these days. LOL I don't know why I thought he could help me.

Below, just to point out a few things I've always loved about these Barbies: Several of them have factory-painted cherry red fingernails! The two girls in the very last pic were always my favorite. I thought the brunette was so pretty (and she has real eyelashes!) and, Midge, has freckles! I always thought that made her more spunky. And, for some reason, my mom chewed on a few of their feet so I don't know what that was about. She doesn't either. LOL There's another brunette that would be cute but someone gave her a bob with some dull scissors, I think. Got her all messed up. (Not me, again.) The crazy platinum blonde girl has a tiara attached to her head and that always bothered me. I'm thinking that me and Lola are going to play Barbie beauty shop soon and try to help some of these girls. I'm thinking of mini headbands....

So, that's my Barbie post. It's been so fun to see these guys after about 20+ years. I NEVER imagined that someday I'd have a little girl to play with them too. I'm sure Gramby (my mom) never thought that either or else maybe she wouldn't have chopped off that one's hair and chewed up some of their feet. :) (I kid, I kid, Mom!) So, I think I've discovered a new hobby/craft to look into: homemade Barbie clothes with a modern, conservative twist. Hmmm...

Girls (Cousins)

Easter 2010

Lola, Teagan, & Payton

Little girl cousins.

Going for a cruise around the pond.

I'm so glad Lola has cousins close to her age, and especially since they're girls. As a kid, I always thought it'd been fun to have that. All of my cousins were boys and they were all just enough older than me that there wasn't much interest in hanging out together. Poor Cal, he's now the only boy in this newest generation. I never really noticed that...

I'm Done! (Lolabee)

(About 2 seconds before she'd swiftly get him off her lap and disappear.)

My Munchkins

It looks like they might have been posing for these pics, but really, they were just lining up against the fence bc they were going to "race." My job was to do the "On your mark, get set, GO!" part. However, it's very rare that they're both in a spot that they can't easily escape me, so I ran in and grabbed my camera to take a picture. I like how it shows how little Cal is compared to Lola.


Below, I like how Cal's looking at her like, "Do you mind?!? We're here to race, not smile and look pretty! Let's go!!!"

Favorite Memories (May 2009)

The day after Cal was born. Lola loved to hold him. We'd prop him up on the Boppy and place him on her lap. I think this was her very first time to hold him. She was a little hesitant at first, but decided he was pretty funny. She showed up at the hospital wearing her pink plastic high heels. She's so goofy like that. I remember sitting on my hospital bed and hearing this clonking sound and immediately thinking, "Here comes Bee," and, sure enough, there she was.

Most of the time, though, after holding him about 2 seconds, she'd proclaim, "I'm done!" And, if you didn't quickly get him off of her, she'd just dump him herself.

Lolabee (Preschool)

2008: 15 months old

2009: 2 years old

2010: 3 years old

First Day of Preschool

This morning was the kids' first day of preschool. This was actually Cal's first-ever day at school. They're attending preschool at a nearby church and I'm so excited for them! Cal's only going one day a week and Lola's going three days a week. They're only there for three hours each morning. Their school's program comes highly recommended from friends as well as total strangers I've met at the park and pool, etc. I'm still learning about possibly homeschooling them as they get a bit older, but until then, this program will be great.

Lola loves having a "packpack." She knows they're called backpacks, but still prefers to call them packpacks. She's so silly.

Lola (Gardener Girl)

This weekend we did some minor shrub work in our backyard. We were trying to hide that hideous electrical box that's in the corner of the yard. I was fixing supper while Bee and KJ worked outside. Cal stood at the door and cried. Bee's always ready to dig in the dirt. She has all her own tools and knows how to use them. She takes her job seriously and is always so proud of herself when she's done.

So sweet (Time flies)

This picture makes my heart ache -- but in a good, happy way. This was the first morning at home after Cal was born. Lola was so fascinated by him. She'd just sit up by him and giggle at his tiny ears and tiny nose, his fuzzy hair. It was fun watching her learn about this new little guy. She's been a great big sister. That little onesie that Cal's wearing was always my favorite. I'm not really sure why, but I loved it. I think bc it was so different from the clothes I was used to. Lola's never been one to wear loads of pink and such, but I remember doing his first load of laundry and just sort of laughing about how everything was brown/blue/green/gray. I feel so blessed to have two wonderful, happy, healthy kids. It's something I never take for granted.

Projects

Here's a peek at a project I'm working on. The paint chips are really just a cruel tease for the time being bc I can't/don't want to paint anything in this house. It's just inspiration for when this house sells....

I feel like I'm somewhat in a lockdown these days. I've lived for almost 7 months without having a single photo/snapshot displayed ANYWHERE, half of my kitchen in storage, half of my craft supplies in storage, almost half of my closet in storage, the kids' toys are always picked up, very rarely -if ever- a dish is left in the sink, counters are shined, carpet is vacuummed, and I sweep the tile floor at least 3 times a day. All because I cannot count the number of times I've gotten a call from a realtor who wants to show our house within the next 10-15 minutes. It's made me a crazy woman for cleanliness! I've never asked them to wait or come another day. I've now made it through winter, spring, and summer. We have no idea where we'll be moving once our house does sell, but wherever it is, I plan on being prepared and am always thinking of things I want to do in the "new" house. This peek are things for Lola's room. It'll be fun!

Great-grandparents

These are all of our kids' great-grandparents. I'm so glad I have these pictures. Sadly, KJ's grandpa, "Poppa Cleo," passed away a couple months after Cal was born. This is the only picture I have of him with the kids, and the only picture I have of him and Cal. Boy, I wish he was around to see the kids grow. I think he'd think they were hoots! Also in that picture is "Mammaw." She's who to call when you need to learn anything to do with sewing. She's also one of the most patient, calm people I've ever met.

The second picture is "Granny Helen." KJ's other grandma. We're so glad she recently moved back to Oklahoma. She makes THE BEST Banberry (banana-cranberry) jam in the whole world. She only makes it around Christmas so we have to make the jar or two we get last the whole year. Someday I hope she can teach me how to make it too. She always makes me laugh.

The last picture is "Gaga." This is my grandma. I wish I had a picture of her with Cal as a newborn, but I was still a little loopy from having a C-section at the point that she was at the hospital. She thrives on saving up little goody bags of snacks for the kids. She also grows cherry tomatoes on her porch and insists that Lola come by and pick them when we're in town. She's who to call when you need someone to pray for you.

I'd give my left arm if all of our other grandparents could be around to meet our kids. I never knew my dad's parents bc they passed when he was a teenager. I have an idea of the type of people they were though; my dad recently made the comment that I must have gotten some of his mom's genes when it comes to cooking and enjoying the process of it. I felt so happy to have that in common with her. The only other grandparents that I was close to besides Gaga was my Grandpa and Grandma Robedeaux. I think I have as many, if not more, memories of being with them as a kid as I do my own parents. They always made me feel like a princess. Grandpa was very artsy/creative and outspoken; he was just so awesome. He built me a playhouse that was wired for electricity! Grandma was the best person to play with; you can't measure the amount of time she spent nurturing my imagination through playtime. HOURS. She was also the one who took me to travel overseas and lots of places here in the USA. She was full-blood Osage and was very cultural and appreciative of fine arts; she was the one who bought me a piano when I was in first grade and made sure I learned how to play. I took lessons for 10 years.

Although my kids won't know or remember all of their ancestors, we will always be sure to share stories about them and help them to "know" them as best they can.

Heart (And hairdids)

I originally took this pic for a spur-of-the-moment project for my dad. This past spring he had an accident which resulted in him being admitted to the Trauma ICU at Saint Francis. (He flipped his ArticCat out in a pasture and it landed on him.) The next day, on our way to the hospital (after knowing he was stable and going to be okay) I sat the kids down real quick to take a pic. Lola helped color a big heart for him and I thought I'd take a picture of them together to kinda show their love. I thought he could hang it up on his wall since the kids weren't allowed in his room. However, I couldn't get the darn printer to print out the picture, so it just never got made. Since then, it's just been sitting here on the computer. Thought we'd try to share it again.


On another note, my kids have crazy, messy hair. Despite what it looks like, I really do wash/brush/fix their hair on a daily basis. I am not one of these moms who fuss over hairdids. I make her headbands and little clippies, but we don't do --and never have, thanks to KJ -- big hair bows. From an early age, it just didn't seem to "fit" Bee's personality. Plus, her daddy DETESTED the few bows I tried. Her hair is now back to her usual short bob, but for a bit we were growing it out. However, it would only end up in a sloppy ponytail. Her hair is so silky that it's just hard to work with! She doesn't care what it looks like and, frankly, as long as it's clean, that's all I really care about.


Cal, on the other hand, has since been getting free haircuts from his daddy. This pic shows him after his first "official" haircut from my friend Corie, but before KJ got ahold of it. I didn't realize how scrubby he was looking...Nowadays, KJ just buzzes it for the most part. I need to get a picture of it, though, bc it's so cute to see the homegrown barber in action.

Beezy & Izzy

Beezy and Izzy. Pals -- most of the time. On this particular day, Cal took his afternoon nap while me and Bee played outside. She is, and always has been, so happy being outside. She especially loves popsicles. She figured out that if she sat in the very middle of the pool, she could safely eat her popsicle without Izzy trying to get a lick too.

These pics I took capture a few of the little details I want to remember about her at this age. Her love of BandAids. (Hello Kitty this time.) Her mismatched, chipped nailpolish. How she always manages to make a mustache out of whatever she's eating. Her crazy little ponytail that was always so messy. (We've since chopped it off and gone back to her usual short bob.) How she's such a skinny mini that even her bathing suit is saggy. She's our spunky girl. She loves to get dirty and gets kinda rough at times, but will choose a "pretty dress" (as she calls it; no matter how simple it really is) over anything in her closet - anytime.

I love her so.

Baby Cal

Just over a year ago. Easiest baby. Good eater, good sleeper, content, sweet, loved to be swaddled tightly. Not a whole lot has changed. He's only about 20+ pounds heavier and only wants to be held when he's sleepy. Time flies.

Playa del Carmen

To celebrate our fifth anniversary, KJ and I went to Playa. It was our first-ever vacation since our honeymoon. Technically, we did go to Texas for KJ's college baseball team reunion back in 2006, but I was suffering from morning sickness the whole time that I hardly count that as a vacation. Plus, it was just overnight. I spent one whole day watching a bunch of guys show off at the baseball field. It was kinda fun bc road trips are always kinda fun...just minus the morning sickness.

Playa was awesome. Beautiful. The ocean -- period. I wish I lived near the ocean. I got to talking to one of the employees at the resort that we stayed at and he had the nerve to admit, "Yeah, the ocean..sometimes I just forget to take time to go to the beach." WHAT??!?!

I took a bunch of pictures, but only used my flip camera. I haven't had a chance to upload them yet so this was just a pic from my phone.

We were so, so, so spoiled during our time there. People waited on us hand and foot. Little things like turndown service with aromatherapy candles and chocolates every night. We went deep sea fishing -- I mean KJ fished, I puked. Crazy. Snorkeling -- which I've decided is not for me after all. In the past when I've snorkeled, it was all fun; now, I just had the heebie jeebies the whole time and it was pretty intense. You know it's not a good sign when the guide says, "Okay, folks, is everybody a good swimmer? You're going to need to watch me bc this current is pretty strong, and I'm not really liking it. You're going to need to swim hard once we get further out." Um, I thought this was the lazy kind of snorkeling where you stay near the shore. Nope. We were waaaaaay far out from the shore. Stingrays. Sea turtles the size of my washing machine. The guide screaming "Keep your distance!" to us while the current was pulling us closer to the turtle. Ugh! I wanted to just quit and cry and go sit on the dock. Exept the dock was a mile from the middle of the ocean where I was. I don't want to ever go again.

I'll save my snorkeling-in-a-cave story for another day. It was scary too.

Ah, but, take me back to the resort, and all was good. LOVED it. The ocean is just breathtaking I think.

Home Ec

I'm taking Home Ec again after about 15 years! This time I really want to learn how to sew. I'm doing it online through some very creative bloggers. I can't wait to learn more!!!

Cal

Chocolate chip pancakes. I think Cal got the best of them.

Bee & Jaxon

Beezy loves hanging out with Jaxon. She always finds him so entertaining! The cool thing is, his mom and I were friends when we were their age. Crazy. I'm glad our kids get to be pals too.

Okie Doke

This was back in the late spring. Lola dressed herself that day. Her leggings are inside out. We didn't care, though, we were just glad to have sunshine and warm weather. That one pic looks like a little granny with no teeth.